I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 711: Chapter 12: Five Reversals, Farewell, and Goals

As Van Nistelrooy’s plan became increasingly difficult, Real Madrid initiated a plan to bring in Adebayor.

According to Marca, Hamburg is absolutely unwilling to let anyone go, forcing Real Madrid to consider other options. Although Florentino previously stated ”Either Van Nistelrooy or no signings,” the Real Madrid higher-ups still decided to bring in a striker during the winter transfer market to fulfill Mourinho’s wish, and this striker is likely Mourinho’s choice, Adebayor.

The proposal was recognized and approved by the Real Madrid higher-ups after it was made, showcasing the significant support Mourinho currently enjoys at Real Madrid.

Real Madrid believes Adebayor is the best alternative to Van Nistelrooy mainly because the team doesn’t have to pay a transfer fee, only half of Adebayor’s salary, and he can play in the Champions League, which is very important for Real Madrid.

Marca states that Real Madrid’s primary goal is to sign Van Nistelrooy, but Hamburg’s tough stance makes a short-term solution unlikely, with the transfer market closing in a week.

Real Madrid General Manager Valdano said on Monday that Real Madrid is striving to bring in a striker and hopes the issue will be resolved quickly.

Valdano did not disclose the name of a new target, but World Newspaper revealed that Real Madrid’s B plan, Mourinho’s choice, is Adebayor, and the club-prepared C plan, Valdano’s choice, is: Klose.

In fact, many Madrid media outlets, including Diario AS, report that Real Madrid is focused on bringing in Adebayor.

This also indirectly demonstrates that Valdano is losing the power struggle within the club.

Adebayor’s contract with Manchester City expires only in 2014, but his prospects at the club are dim. He has played only 8 times in 24 Premier League matches this season, scoring just 1 goal.

In the European League, he performed well, scoring 4 goals in 4 matches.

If Adebayor joins Real Madrid, he can play for the White Army in the Champions League.

Marca states that Adebayor is now Mourinho’s first choice, and Real Madrid will only sign him on loan, agreeing to pay his salary for the second half of the season, totaled at 4 million euros.

Real Madrid’s backup option, the 32-year-old Klose, has consistently performed well at the World Cup. Currently, he serves as Van Gaal’s substitute, playing only 7 matches in the Bundesliga this season, partly due to injuries and partly because coach Van Gaal trusts Mario Gomez more.

A drawback for Real Madrid is that Klose has already participated in this season’s Champions League games, so he cannot play for Real Madrid in the tournament. Furthermore, he is unlikely to accept Real Madrid’s 6-month contract, given that his contract with Bayern Munich expires at the end of this season.

This makes Valdano’s push for Klose’s transfer nearly an impossible task, both from the club’s perspective and the player’s perspective—it is not a suitable choice.

The ”Footylatest” website reveals that Real Madrid also had interest in Tottenham Hotspur’s Pavlyuchenko. Valdano proposed this name upon realizing Klose was difficult to acquire, but it was quickly dismissed.

The Russian rose to fame during the 2008 European Cup, but his situation at Tottenham isn’t good; he struggles to compete with Defoe and Crouch, spending most of his time on the bench.

Pavlyuchenko himself hopes to transfer; however, Spanish media reports currently suggest Real Madrid has not made him a main target, focusing instead on Mourinho’s desired Adebayor.

Even a month ago, after Mourinho and Valdano first made their conflict public, Real Madrid President Florentino expressed support for the Argentine, but now he’s shifted position, granting Mourinho more power and sideling Valdano from transfer authority.

Undoubtedly, this decision by the Real Madrid President signifies Mourinho’s initial victory in his battle against Valdano.

According to Cadena SER’s ”Crossbar” program, after being stripped of power post-Cup meeting, Valdano once requested resignation from Florentino, but it was not approved.

The Real Madrid President believes Valdano can still exert influence in many other club areas.

In fact, Valdano had chosen to resign during Florentino’s first tenure at Real Madrid. In the 2003-04 season, Real Madrid collapsed in the final stages, making Valdano the scapegoat for the club’s failure. In late May 2004, Valdano sent farewell letters through written and email formats to all Real Madrid Club employees, resigning as General Manager.

Six years later, a similar situation may be unfolding again.

Inside stories about Valdano losing power have been partially revealed by Spanish COPE Radio.

The station disclosed that last week after Real Madrid’s King’s Cup elimination of Atletico Madrid, the Bernabeu’s higher-ups held a meeting attended by Club President Florentino, Executive Sports Director Jose Sanchez, Head Coach Mourinho, Captain Chen Zhong, several vice-presidents, and others. After a heated discussion, a unanimous decision was made to exclude Valdano from planning and actions regarding team transfers to ensure better development and prepare for the tough second half ahead.

This explains why Mourinho deliberately ignored Valdano after the Mallorca match.

The Portuguese coach boldly stated, ”I do not discuss transfers with Valdano. I only communicate with the Club President and Jose Sanchez.”

Mourinho has temporarily won his war against Valdano, as Florentino chooses to sacrifice his veteran friend Valdano for peace.

COPE Radio reports that the transfer authority will next be jointly held by Florentino and Mourinho, with Jose Sanchez executing the specifics, leaving Valdano in merely a spokesperson role for the club.

”Either him or me.” Reportedly, Mourinho openly made such a statement in front of the players not long ago.

Inside the locker room, Mourinho shared his concerns, future plans, and sought support from all players, which did not disappoint: Casillas, Cristiano Ronaldo, Alvaro, and others openly expressed support for Mourinho.

Real Madrid fans also showed their support; keeping Mourinho’s voice has become mainstream in streets, bars, restaurants, and online forums.

In the Mallorca game, signs supporting Mourinho appeared across the stands at Bernabeu. Holding these two trumps of fan and player support, Mourinho can confidently demand more power from the higher-ups.

It’s worth noting, however, that Real Madrid’s Captain Chen Zhong did not make explicit statements in the media, nor does he need to.

This behavior is just what Florentino wants to see.

Florentino doesn’t wish to lose Valdano completely; after Valdano resigned last time, Florentino felt somewhat lost in football matters, often feeling directionless.

Chen Zhong’s actions at this time have satisfied Florentino, who has entrusted Valdano with full responsibility for Chen Zhong’s contract renewal affairs, hoping to give the newly crowned Ballon d’Or winner a reasonable offer.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid and Manchester City’s transfer talks have been finalized.

Without Valdano’s interference, the club and players had a pleasant meeting.

Adebayor will join Real Madrid on loan, while Negredo will transfer to Manchester City; this deal, in a way, sees Real Madrid actually profit.

After all, Real Madrid refused the proposal to swap Negredo for Adebayor, opting instead to complete the deal with cash, costing Manchester City a whopping 24 million pounds.

This shows their emphasis on Negredo.

Along with that, there’s the club’s abundant financial resources.